Relationship, values, beauty, harmony. These words have been connected archetypally to the planet Venus since the Sumerian high priestess Enheduanna wrote the hymn “The Exaltation of Inanna” in 2300 BCE. The planet’s symbolic meanings are rooted in its 8-year synodic cycle, during which Venus appears to return to the same celestial position from Earth’s perspective, with a slight 2-degree shift. The pentagram, golden mean, and Fibonacci sequence are all encoded in that cycle.
Venus’s mythology has evolved significantly over time, beginning with Inanna’s descent into the underworld in Sumerian lore, transforming through classical Greek interpretations, influencing medieval troubadour traditions, and continuing to evolve in modern times. Recent astronomical developments, such as Pluto’s discovery and subsequent demotion in 2005 following Eris’s identification, have further reshaped our understanding of the theme of descent that is central to the archetype. This course will examine Venus through multiple lenses: astronomical, mythological, and literary. We’ll use the theme of descent as a guiding principle to explore the planet’s multifaceted significance across different cultures and epochs.